Copy and paste this worksheet as a separate page linked to the Homepage of your portfolio. DO NOT type your answers on THIS document because it needs to be used by other students. The title of your page which replies to these questions is linked to your portfolio and should begin with the first initials of your first and last name. (In my case, the link to this worksheet from my portfolio page would read frrezsisters.)
You may earn a maximum of 3 points toward your final grade by doing the above and answering the questions and submitting them on time (no later than Sunday, February 11 on or before 12:01am). Any worksheets submitted after the deadline will get a 0. You will be rewarded a maximum of 3 points if I judge your work to be above average. You will receive 2 points if your work is average, that is it may have a few minor mistakes in some of the answers but demonstrates correct grammar and indicates that some, but not all, of the answers, are acceptable and well expressed. You will earn only 1 point if you simply answered the questions and/or if you use poor grammar and if there are signs that you have not read the material on which your answers are based.
1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
- This play takes place on a reservation in Ontario, Canad called the Wasaychigan Hill Indian Reserve beginning in August 1986. Eight characters are involved in this play and most of them are related, they include: Pelajia and Philomena (sisters), Marie-Adele, Annie, and Emily (sisters/ half-sisters of the first two), Veronique (sister-in-law of the rest), her mentally disabled adopted daughter Zhaboonigan, and Nanabush (plays the Seagull, Nighthawk, and Bingo Master). Each woman in the play has a hope of winning the jackpot in playing the lottery for their own personal reasons and they grow closer, learning more about each other on a journey to Toronto for the "Biggest Bingo in the World."
2. What is the intrusion?
- The intrusion of this play occurs when the women learn of the "Biggest Bingo." This is when the women are inspired to come together and travel to Toronto in order to attempt to win. Without the knowledge of the bingo, they would have most likely continued to stay on the reservation and ultimately would not have changed and become closer as a group.
3. What is the unique factor?
- The unique factor is that on this day, the women (and child) all come together after being informed of the bingo. They all work together to figure out the best transportation and how to put their money together in order to travel.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
- Throughout the play, the main question is whether any of the women will win the play and if so, whether or not they actually follow through with achieving their goals.
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
- The two types of exposition that we discussed in class is the details that everyone is aware of (the audience and characters) and those that are revealed to one or two characters but not all. A situation that everyone is aware of is that Marie-Adele has cancer. An example of the second kind of exposition is when Emily reveals some of her past being that she was in a motorcycle gang and even more information that she had a girlfriend who committed suicide which she was a witness to.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
- Personally, the most obvious theatrical moment throughout the play happens when the women are in the midst of chaos in the bingo building. They are committing vandalism by destroying the machines and ripping the bingo cards up. While these things are happening, Marie-Adele begins silently dancing with the Bingo Master who turns into Nanabush. It is inferred in this moment that Marie-Adele has passed away and her dancing with Nanabush symbolizes her being lead into the spirit world.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
- The largest themes that I observed included: poverty, spirituality, culture, feminism, and friendship. Others that I observed which were less significant are dreams/ goals, vulnerability, death, and the marginalization of women.
8. What does the chief character want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
- Though there is not an obvious chief character, it can be observed that Pelajia is a constant character throughout the play and seems to be a sort of orchestrater among the women. She feels very strongly about the state of the reservation and wants make changes to improve upon it, such as paving the roads, however lack of money and permission from the Chief gets in her way. (me v. society/ me v. a person) Another example of a want that she has is moving off of the reservation but due to lack of resources, she cannot. (me. v myself)
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
- The most obvious image that occurs within the play and links to the title is the relationship that the women have. They are all either close of become close and form a tightly knit bond. Another important image throughout the play is Nanabush, who represents the spirituality of the women as well as the culture. A third image that can be considered in the reoccurring tools throughout the play, or more importantly, Pelajia's hammer. Her hammer symbolizes that the women have been left behind on the reservation and have had to take over the responsibilities typically assigned to male figures.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
- Unlike typical definitions of family, this play does not involve any male characters in terms of being close to the women. The women, while all blood related, have lead different lives and have been connected but not as a close family until the "Biggest Bingo" occurs which brings them together. Along with this, an example of non-biological family is shown through Veronique's adopted daughter, who is protected and loved by all of the women.
Copy and paste this worksheet as a separate page linked to the Homepage of your portfolio. DO NOT type your answers on THIS document because it needs to be used by other students. The title of your page which replies to these questions is linked to your portfolio and should begin with the first initials of your first and last name. (In my case, the link to this worksheet from my portfolio page would read frrezsisters.)
You may earn a maximum of 3 points toward your final grade by doing the above and answering the questions and submitting them on time (no later than Sunday, February 11 on or before 12:01am). Any worksheets submitted after the deadline will get a 0.
You will be rewarded a maximum of 3 points if I judge your work to be above average. You will receive 2 points if your work is average, that is it may have a few minor mistakes in some of the answers but demonstrates correct grammar and indicates that some, but not all, of the answers, are acceptable and well expressed. You will earn only 1 point if you simply answered the questions and/or if you use poor grammar and if there are signs that you have not read the material on which your answers are based.
1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
- This play takes place on a reservation in Ontario, Canad called the Wasaychigan Hill Indian Reserve beginning in August 1986. Eight characters are involved in this play and most of them are related, they include: Pelajia and Philomena (sisters), Marie-Adele, Annie, and Emily (sisters/ half-sisters of the first two), Veronique (sister-in-law of the rest), her mentally disabled adopted daughter Zhaboonigan, and Nanabush (plays the Seagull, Nighthawk, and Bingo Master). Each woman in the play has a hope of winning the jackpot in playing the lottery for their own personal reasons and they grow closer, learning more about each other on a journey to Toronto for the "Biggest Bingo in the World."
2. What is the intrusion?
- The intrusion of this play occurs when the women learn of the "Biggest Bingo." This is when the women are inspired to come together and travel to Toronto in order to attempt to win. Without the knowledge of the bingo, they would have most likely continued to stay on the reservation and ultimately would not have changed and become closer as a group.
3. What is the unique factor?
- The unique factor is that on this day, the women (and child) all come together after being informed of the bingo. They all work together to figure out the best transportation and how to put their money together in order to travel.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
- Throughout the play, the main question is whether any of the women will win the play and if so, whether or not they actually follow through with achieving their goals.
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
- The two types of exposition that we discussed in class is the details that everyone is aware of (the audience and characters) and those that are revealed to one or two characters but not all. A situation that everyone is aware of is that Marie-Adele has cancer. An example of the second kind of exposition is when Emily reveals some of her past being that she was in a motorcycle gang and even more information that she had a girlfriend who committed suicide which she was a witness to.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
- Personally, the most obvious theatrical moment throughout the play happens when the women are in the midst of chaos in the bingo building. They are committing vandalism by destroying the machines and ripping the bingo cards up. While these things are happening, Marie-Adele begins silently dancing with the Bingo Master who turns into Nanabush. It is inferred in this moment that Marie-Adele has passed away and her dancing with Nanabush symbolizes her being lead into the spirit world.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
- The largest themes that I observed included: poverty, spirituality, culture, feminism, and friendship. Others that I observed which were less significant are dreams/ goals, vulnerability, death, and the marginalization of women.
8. What does the chief character want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
- Though there is not an obvious chief character, it can be observed that Pelajia is a constant character throughout the play and seems to be a sort of orchestrater among the women. She feels very strongly about the state of the reservation and wants make changes to improve upon it, such as paving the roads, however lack of money and permission from the Chief gets in her way. (me v. society/ me v. a person) Another example of a want that she has is moving off of the reservation but due to lack of resources, she cannot. (me. v myself)
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
- The most obvious image that occurs within the play and links to the title is the relationship that the women have. They are all either close of become close and form a tightly knit bond. Another important image throughout the play is Nanabush, who represents the spirituality of the women as well as the culture. A third image that can be considered in the reoccurring tools throughout the play, or more importantly, Pelajia's hammer. Her hammer symbolizes that the women have been left behind on the reservation and have had to take over the responsibilities typically assigned to male figures.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
- Unlike typical definitions of family, this play does not involve any male characters in terms of being close to the women. The women, while all blood related, have lead different lives and have been connected but not as a close family until the "Biggest Bingo" occurs which brings them together. Along with this, an example of non-biological family is shown through Veronique's adopted daughter, who is protected and loved by all of the women.